Enhanced Risk for Severe Weather Today; Damaging Winds Are Primary Threat

The National Weather Service has upgraded the Grand Lake region to an Enhanced Risk for severe weather today, meaning a level three threat on the five-level severe-weather scale.

A line of strong to severe thunderstorms is expected to move from north to south across the region this afternoon and into the early evening. The greatest risk is expected between 2 and 8 p.m., although forecasters say some uncertainty remains regarding the exact path and timing of the storms.

Damaging straight-line winds are the primary concern. The National Weather Service says wind gusts of 60 to 70 miles per hour are likely, with scattered significant gusts of 75 miles per hour or higher possible. An isolated tornado or two could also develop within the line of storms.

Additional scattered thunderstorms may remain possible after 8 p.m., but the severe-weather threat is expected to become considerably lower later in the evening.

The Storm Prediction Center says the weather pattern supports the development of a strong, fast-moving thunderstorm complex capable of producing severe wind gusts from the Great Lakes into the Ohio Valley.

Residents should secure outdoor furniture, trash cans and other loose objects before storms arrive. Keep phones charged, have multiple ways to receive weather warnings and know where to take shelter if a warning is issued.

WCSM will continue to provide updated forecasts, watches and warnings on the air, through the WCSM Radio App and at wcsmradio.com.